4 ms·

>> This is all weasel words, and you've misspelled "Schroedinger"/"Schrödinger". That sort of comment might be fine for the pub, but on the internet you don't h

>> This is all weasel words, and you've misspelled "Schroedinger"/"Schrödinger". That sort of comment might be fine for the pub, but on the internet you don't have to say anything and if you do it may as well have some substance. > ... I can't invalidate your sense of awe. Actually, yes. Yes, you can. And so could I, or anyone really, given sufficiently focused vitriol. For example, your sentence fragment "This is all weasel words" is incorrect English. "This is" should use the plural form "These are" as the subject is "words" and not "weasel", as well as the modifier "all" emphasizing plurality. The irony of your subsequently pointing out a spelling error and then chastising the OP for same has not been lost.

WalterBright 2y ago
At least 50% of posts that point out a spelling or grammatical error contain one as well.
- AdieuToLogic 2y ago
  > At least 50% of posts that point out a spelling or grammatical error contain one as well. Quite true. While I do not generally claim to be a grammatical wizard, I do know when I hear from one (hello Zortech-C++, it's been too long!). If you don't mind pointing out my mistake(s) above, I would appreciate it as my goal was to exemplify the social effect of pedantic critique. Being corrected when doing same could serve as an additional benefit.
  - WalterBright 2y ago
    It's nice to hear from a ZTC++ user!
- Y_Y 2y ago
  What's the unconditional rate of errors in posts generally? Without the prior I don't know if whinginging about spelling or grammar makes my posts correcter or incorrecter.
Y_Y 2y ago
> "This [comment] is all weasel words." The subject was "this", referring to the comment. By what standard of English did you reckon my post incorrect? I appreciate your effort to cheer up your parent post, and to improve my language skills, of course. (I'm not the language usage police, though I am fussy about correctly rendering people's names.) I didn't understand your gainsaying about invalidating awe. Whether or not the poster's awe was a real and worthwhile feeling seems to me entirely independent of my opinions. I find your aims admirable. However, I regret to say that for me the irony, and purpose of this comment thread, have indeed been lost.
- AdieuToLogic 2y ago
  >> "This [comment] is all weasel words." > The subject was "this", referring to the comment. While I understand your clarification being the intent, in the original context "this" is in its determiner form and not pronoun form. Would the addition of "comment" have been included, then I believe most (if not all) readers would understand its use as the pronoun form it is often used as well as being associated with the noun form of "comment." More important than my pedantry was an attempt to illustrate how corrections in this medium can be interpreted quite differently based on the person. As you intimate, my example did not affect you adversely (which is great BTW). How the OP responded to your original reply indicated a different effect unfortunately. I am not judging, only providing my observation. A quote I wish I knew much earlier in my life is: A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use.[0] HTH 0 - https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/washington_irving_384249 https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/washington_irving_384249
  - Y_Y 2y ago
    Thank you, especially for deft use of pedantry as a tool for good, and that quote which I'll retain.

WalterBright 2y ago

At least 50% of posts that point out a spelling or grammatical error contain one as well.

AdieuToLogic 2y ago
> At least 50% of posts that point out a spelling or grammatical error contain one as well. Quite true. While I do not generally claim to be a grammatical wizard, I do know when I hear from one (hello Zortech-C++, it's been too long!). If you don't mind pointing out my mistake(s) above, I would appreciate it as my goal was to exemplify the social effect of pedantic critique. Being corrected when doing same could serve as an additional benefit.
- WalterBright 2y ago
  It's nice to hear from a ZTC++ user!
Y_Y 2y ago
What's the unconditional rate of errors in posts generally? Without the prior I don't know if whinginging about spelling or grammar makes my posts correcter or incorrecter.

Y_Y 2y ago

> "This [comment] is all weasel words." The subject was "this", referring to the comment. By what standard of English did you reckon my post incorrect? I appreciate your effort to cheer up your parent post, and to improve my language skills, of course. (I'm not the language usage police, though I am fussy about correctly rendering people's names.) I didn't understand your gainsaying about invalidating awe. Whether or not the poster's awe was a real and worthwhile feeling seems to me entirely independent of my opinions. I find your aims admirable. However, I regret to say that for me the irony, and purpose of this comment thread, have indeed been lost.

AdieuToLogic 2y ago
>> "This [comment] is all weasel words." > The subject was "this", referring to the comment. While I understand your clarification being the intent, in the original context "this" is in its determiner form and not pronoun form. Would the addition of "comment" have been included, then I believe most (if not all) readers would understand its use as the pronoun form it is often used as well as being associated with the noun form of "comment." More important than my pedantry was an attempt to illustrate how corrections in this medium can be interpreted quite differently based on the person. As you intimate, my example did not affect you adversely (which is great BTW). How the OP responded to your original reply indicated a different effect unfortunately. I am not judging, only providing my observation. A quote I wish I knew much earlier in my life is: A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use.[0] HTH 0 - https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/washington_irving_384249 https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/washington_irving_384249
- Y_Y 2y ago
  Thank you, especially for deft use of pedantry as a tool for good, and that quote which I'll retain.